Week 4 Comment #1 - Spencer Lunsford

Spencer's Post:

For me, being the board has all kinds of difficulties that come along with the notion.  I have been able to find solace in the blame game for my entire teaching career.  The students that come to me are usually several grades behind in their mathematics knowledge.  Much of this is due to (here comes the blame) teachers being "run off" by the bad acting children.  In fact the students brag about how many teachers they have been able to get to leave.  Having to accept responsibility of how I react to the situation will make me a better teacher from here on out.  Instead of being able to write off the students that are not understanding what they ought to have learned in the past, I now have sparks to light.  The students are on my board and I get to bring them to new places with new learning experiences.  I can fight the facts that they are behind, or I can find out where they are and bring them as far around my board as possible in the time we have together.  I can be just another voice telling them what they can't do, or I can be a refreshing fountain of encouragement.  The art of possibility is just that, an art.  Some people are naturals, others have to work hard at it.  The great thing about the art of possibility is that everyone can grow.

My Response:

Spencer,

Really deep insights on this.  Its great that you were able to see past everything and started to focus on lighting the spark.  I really like what you said too - "I can be just another voice telling them what they can't do, or I can be a refreshing fountain of encouragement".  The whole quote is brilliant and really shows the power of being the board.  I remember before I started reading this book I was upset at one of my co-workers for thinking that he knows everything about everything.  At first I didn't want to accept it and I became stressed because of it.  After reading this book I started to let it go, and after reading the chapter about being the board, it lifted completely.  I realized that there are people like that in every workplace and instead of not accepting it or dealing with it, I used it to build a more professional relationship.  I would continue to be the board, but lit the spark at the same time.  Now there is less tension and a new path to follow for success.  You are right too, "the great thing about the art of possibility is that everyone can grow".